Cops and Courts: Jan. 14, 2012: Police release more details on groper

Police on Sunday released more details about a man suspected of grabbing the rear end of a 12-year-old who was walking home from school near Walnut Avenue and California Street on Friday.

The man grabbed the girl about 2:30 p.m., and then fled when the "brave" girl confronted him, police said. He was confronted again, and fled, and a witness snapped a cellphone photo of him, from the back, as he ran up stairs from Grover Lane to Towne Terrace, officers said.

The suspect is a Latino in his 20s, about 5 feet 10 inches to 6 feet tall, and 250 to 280 pounds, police said. He wore a brown T-shirt, Dickies-style pants and wire-rimmed glasses. Officers will be posting fliers in the area, police said Sunday.

Police ask anyone with information on the case to call the Investigations Unit at 831-420-5820, or to call 911 if the suspect is seen.

County

Two drivers arrested after crashes

Two drivers were arrested after losing control and crashing on county roads this weekend, the California Highway Patrol reported.

About 3:15 a.m. Saturday, a 29-year-old man lost control of a Ford F-150 on Highway 9 near Brackney Road in Ben Lomond and slammed into a bridge, Sgt. Ryan Monahan said.

Tyler Jackson was taken to the hospital with injuries including a cut on his head, Monahan said. He was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, he said.

At 4:50 p.m. Saturday, a 33-year-old man lost control of his 1995 Ford on southbound Highway 1 near State Park Drive and collided with a dirt embankment, Monahan said.

Ahmet Mangane of Watsonville suffered what appeared to be minor injuries and was also arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, he said.